Avoiding The Data Leak: 3 Top Tips For Small Businesses

by Keira W. Cyber Security Specialist

Whether you’re a big corporation or a humble small business, you’re likely to be at risk of data loss. Data loss occurs when your network or data is compromised in some way, whether this be through security breach and malicious interference (hacking), software error or damage, or mere accident.

No matter how it occurs, data loss has the potential to be devastatingly destructive for your business. Small businesses are especially likely to feel the damaging effects of a data leak. So what can you do to prevent such a leak from happening?

Let’s take a look at the top three tips for small businesses wishing to avoid data loss.

1. Define which data is most important and identify potential risks.

All business data is important, but when it comes down to it, there is always data that needs to be treated with a higher priority. This high-priority data usually includes confidential things such as employee details, banking information, sales figures, product development information, business plans and so on.

When analysing your business data in terms of importance, ask yourself how the loss of such information would affect your business in terms of revenue and convenience. If the answer is that it would cost money, valuable time or productivity, then that data is critical and needs to be prioritised and protected.

Once you’ve defined your most important data, take some time to identify any

potential risks to the security and stability of that data. Consider things such as:

Network and system security (and any gaps therein)
The potential for damage or error in your data storage (are your systems outdated or inferior?)
The possibility that employees are not adequately informed about data risks (more on this below).

2. Inform employees about the risk of data loss – and what they can do to prevent it.

Unfortunately, one of the most common causes of data leaks in businesses is uninformed employees. Employees who simply don’t understand the ins and outs of data security may pose a risk. If they don’t know how or why to protect business data, they may be leaving your systems vulnerable.

To remedy this, ensure that all employees are informed in depth about the risks of data loss and compromised security. Perhaps introduce a new data protection policy that clearly outlines what sort of data needs to be protected and how employees can do their part to keep your systems safe.

This policy should include a section on mobile data security, especially if your business provides employees with a company phone, computer or tablet for on-the-go access to company data.

3. Invest in security measures and resources.

Proper data security measures are essential for any business. They might cost money to implement, but the benefits they provide will far outweigh any initial cost concerns. Technology such as firewalls, as well as employees or contractors whose role is dedicated entirely to monitoring the security of your business’ systems and data, are important investments.

Another particularly cost-effective way to boost data security is to use a VPN (virtual private network). A VPN creates a secure, encrypted connection that an unsecured network cannot otherwise provide. Check out some reviews of the best VPNs on Secure Thoughts to find out which VPN is right for your business and how it can help protect your data.

Once you have taken these three simple tips on board, your small business will be a lot closer to achieving optimal data protection and security. And this, in turn, will ensure your business’s prosperity, productivity and long-term success.